Commissioner's Update for correctional employees: March 25, 2024
This content is a message to Correctional Service Canada (CSC) staff from CSC's Commissioner.
Our Mission: The Correctional Service of Canada, as part of the criminal justice system and respecting the rule of law, contributes to public safety by actively encouraging and assisting offenders to become law-abiding citizens, while exercising reasonable, safe, secure and humane control.
March is Irish Heritage Month. The month offers an opportunity to celebrate and learn more about Irish Canadians’ culture and contributions. The 17th was St. Patrick’s Day. This originally started as a religious holiday, but has become a celebration of Irish culture that is also enjoyed by many non-Irish. This year marked the 200th anniversary of Canada’s first St. Patrick’s Day celebration.
Kent Institution Adopts a Road
Staff at Kent Institution are adopting Pioneer Avenue, in Agassiz, B.C. This means they are taking responsibility for cleaning up litter along the road. Kent’s Wellness Committee is spearheading this project to help build a stronger relationship with the Town of Agassiz and the immediate neighbours. Litter pick up is only required a twice a year, but the staff volunteers are planning to do a clean up four times a year. After the initial clean up, the District of Kent will install a sign on “our road,” displaying the institution’s commitment to the care, health and beautification of the community.
Kent Institution’s Pioneer Avenue clean up crew.
NIAC Meeting
Kathy Neil, Deputy Commissioner for Indigenous Corrections, recently met with Indigenous Elders and members of the National Indigenous Advisory Committee (NIAC). They were attending the in-person NIAC meeting on March 6 and 7. It was an honour for NIAC members to have traditional performances by Indigenous inmate drummers and singers at La Macaza’s Indigenous Centre.
NIAC members. Kathy is front right.
ARDEI Visits Collins Bay and Bath Institutions
Staff from the Anti-Racism, Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (ARDEI) Directorate visited Collins Bay and Bath institutions on March 11 and 12. They met with staff members, management, and ethnocultural inmates. The meeting provided an opportunity to present CSC's Anti-Racism Framework, capture views and discuss their experiences. The comments and recommendations they received during these consultations will be used to develop initiatives and actions in the next version of the ARDEI framework.
The ARDEI team would like to thank the staff members, as well as the inmates of the Bath and Collins Bay Institutions for their warm welcome, openness, and rich contributions to our discussions. These meetings complement other consultations conducted across the country over the past year.
Transgender Day of Visibility
Sunday, March 31, is Transgender Day of Visibility. This is a day to celebrate the contributions of transgender people and recognize their human rights. Every employee deserves respect for who they are, regardless of their gender or gender identity.
CSC is committed to meeting the needs of gender diverse offenders. We established the Gender Considerations Secretariat. It is a fundamental pillar of our organization. You can find more information about the
Federal 2SLGBTQI+ Action Plan.
William St. Pierre Hughes Correctional Manager Award
The William St Pierre Hughes Correctional Manager Award recognizes correctional managers who strive for excellence, inspire others, encourage innovation, and empower their staff to do their job well. The annual award is presented to one recipient from each region. I am pleased to announce the recipients for 2023 to 2024:
- Justin Simons (Springhill Institution, Atlantic Region);
- Maryse Cossette (Archambault Institution, Quebec Region);
- Jennifer Guerin (Warkworth Institution, Ontario Region);
- Tyler Gross (Drumheller Institution, Prairie Region); and
- Brian Rodger (Kent Institution, Pacific Region).
Congratulations to all of you for your exemplary contributions!
Faces of CSC
Allie Kabba is a Correctional Officer at Dorchester Penitentiary in New Brunswick. Allie shares that the work Correctional Officers do can be challenging but also rewarding, and he's proud to put the CSC uniform on every day.
Listen to him in his own words here.
This Friday is Good Friday and the start of the Easter long weekend. This is an important weekend for Christians. I wish you all well and encourage you to find time to relax and enjoy the weekend. A special thanks to those of you who will be working.
Every job is a self-portrait of the person who did it. Autograph your work with excellence.
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